Montana Symposium on Religion and Science

Montana Symposium on Religion and Science

The Montana Symposium is the successor organization to an informal group consisting of faculty and staff who meet to discuss issues of science and faith in integrated learning communities on the campus. Membership consists of representatives of both hard- and soft-sciences and the humanities, including theology, religion, biology, English, psychology, natural science, philosophy, sociology, research science, as well as the clergy and several university staff and administrators. The group invites guest participants to join in discussions and contribute diverse perspectives. The group proposes inviting broader membership from the many local medical, research, and educational institutions beyond the university to expand the dialogue. The Symposium hosts a regular weekly dinner with discussion of current issues of common concern in faith and science such as human origins, genetics, stem cell research and technological applications, and artificial intelligence and human personality. Public elements of their program include two monthly “book talks,” lectures, colloquia, conferences and panel discussions that invite the community-at-large. The group is also expanding to invite contemporary thinkers in science and faith for public programs and a regular feature on the local public radio station. In the second year of programming, a statewide colloquium will bring together scientists, scholars and clergy to consider issues in “Science and the Native American Perspective.” Matching funds over and above the requirement are provided by the University of Great Falls, membership donation, and fund raising resources.